The National Population Commission (NPC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), has launched a Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) survey aimed at addressing preventable deaths among children under five years and women of reproductive age.
The launch took place on Thursday in Calabar, with Mr. Alex Ukam, the Federal Commissioner of NPC in Cross River, leading the initiative.
Speaking at the event, Ukam explained that this round of the VASA survey is a continuation of previous efforts from 2014 and 2019, aimed at gathering critical information to shape health policies that can help reduce preventable deaths.
He also noted that it follows the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), which was completed in May 2024.
Ukam further emphasized that the survey will focus on collecting essential data related to both maternal and child mortality, specifically looking at the social and health-related factors contributing to these tragic losses.
The information gathered will provide insights to help decision-makers address the root causes of these deaths, ultimately shaping policies to improve maternal and child health in Cross River State and beyond.
Fieldwork for the study is set to take place between November 4 and December 2024, covering selected communities across the 16 local government areas of Cross River.
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Ukam called on traditional rulers in these communities to support the field officers and encouraged residents to actively participate in the survey.
He assured that interviewers would conduct the survey with respect and confidentiality to ensure accurate data collection.
Mr. Stanley Itam, NPC Director in Cross River, added that while the survey would focus on 16 local government areas, it would also provide insights into the health situation in Obanliku and Bakassi local government areas, even though these areas were not selected for the study.
Itam expressed gratitude to the Cross River State government for its continued collaboration with NPC, noting that previous partnerships had led to the successful implementation of various health-related initiatives.